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In Reply to: Assembling a Good Audio System – black art or not? posted by John C. - Aussie on March 1, 2006 at 19:08:28:
That is, don't counter the effects of one with the other, get 'em all going the same direction. If synergy means anything in audio it means that. Nothing sounds worse than a system at war in the name of balance.
Follow Ups:
Complement not substitute.
I so often see in these forums suggestions on balancing a too bright component with another that rolls off the top, etc. I have personally rarely encountered where this approach really works. Rather, systems work where the assembler has a clear view of what he is seeking and finds components that also match that kind of sound. One can't have it all, and finding components that are good at different things and hoping that the good qualities will win out in the system is usually futile.I've heard and liked complete one manufacturer systems. The two I have in mind are completely different in sound, but they both work on their own terms. I am referring to an all Naim system and an all Audionote system.
I guess the key thing I learned is that you have to like the sound of your source components. The last think you want to be doing, IMHO, is trying to soften an edgy source with something downstream, because you're pretty much inevitably going to be giving up detail.Amp-speaker is harder because as the discussion below rightly notes it's a matter of a good marriage -- it's hard to specify an ideal amp without thinking of what speaker it will be asked to drive, and vice versa. But the point remains, yes, that if you find yourself trying to fix the problems of component A by finding a component B with opposite flaws, in the long run you're better off selling component A.
In the old days, it was true of Meridian and Linn too, don't know now, haven't heard them in too long. It's always easier to do it with one designer/manufacturer, but it can be done with several if you're willing to spend the time. Blue Circle hybrids and Brystons seem to be going the same way as Harbeths, though Gilbert Yeung would quarrel with that! Manley and Reynaud works, Blue Circle and Reynaud works, Audiomat and Reynaud works. And there was a time when Krell and B&W worked, though that was in B&W Matrix days, don't know about now. What kind of marriage do we prefer? One where the two parties fight to a passionate standstill or one where they agree from the start? Your call. I think it's harder when a speaker, like Spendors, sound wonderful but need something to help them along. What do you do? Kick 'em? Love 'em up? Dunno. Best results I've heard with Spendors have been good push-pulls but not the kind with those nasty 6550's. I'd love to have the time and funds to find a good husband for SP 1/2's. Never could do it here.
"nasty 6550's" I too have never liked amps with that tube; they sound so harsh and harmonically bleached. My current amp, Audionote (uk) Kageki's are, compared to my pushpull 45 amps, on the lean side, but they are not bleached and unpleasant sounding.
Hi Larry,Are you talking about Vu's (Deja Vu Audio) push/pull 45 amps? If so, I used to own them and agree that were on the rich/lush side of the fence. Bass was on the loose and tubby side too. I'm very interested in the Audionote Kageki's. How do the two amps differ?
Yes, it is a Deja Vu pushpull 45. It is quite a remarkable amp -- well balanced, rich and reasonably detailed. One feels at ease when listening to this amp (meaning it sounds natural and non-mechanical, not that it is languid and dead sounding).The Kageki is a bit leaner and dynamic sounding (sort of commands attention a bit more). It has a much more airy and dimensional top end that is quite thrilling to hear. It's hard to describe, but SETs just seem to be more intimate and able to connect the listener more directly with the music. Of course, there is that slight difference in cost.
Hi Larry,The Deja Vu 45 amps that I owned had the upgraded Audionote slver foil capacitors in them. I also owned Vu's preamp as well with upgraded Black Gate capacitors. The combination was very very lush and musical but a little bit too much for my taste. Serves me right for allowing to be talked into upgrading parts without first hearing what they sound like. It certainly sounds like the Kageki's are a step up in performance. Take care!
Larry will tell you more from firsthand experience, but I love their little brothers, the Neiros, which also have the 2A3 tubes. I have compared them extensively with 300B tube amps and find them leaner in a good way. I find 300 amps (I haven't heard the Shinri's, 300B amps that are comparable to the Neiros) a bit too lush. I have not heard a 45 amp and so will also be interested in what Larry says.
One 300B amp that breaks the lush mold are the Wyetech Sapphire's that I own. Very dynamic with fantastic bass and an absolute bargain ($6,800) in this crazy hobby. However, I'm interested in hearing what an upper-end Audionote ampliifer sounds like in my system.
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